Chapter 11

Morning dawned bright and early, and Ginny awoke to a wash of sunshine and the sweet, melodic chattering of birds. It was going to be a wonderful day.

She sat up slowly, blinking the sleep from her eyes and struggling to keep her eyes from watering in the bright light.

She smiled to herself as she stood up, despite the protests of her body in the form of aches and pains, from the hard spot that had served as her bed for the night. Perhaps today would be better.

Her grin widened as she realized that no one else was awake yet. That was good, now she would have a little time to explore by herself. She stepped lightly over the other students, keeping one eye to the ground, while she glanced around in admiration.

The forest, the mountains…they truly were a beautiful place. Wildflowers were scattered here and there across the empty space, and the greenest grass was as green as if it had been springtime, instead of the beginning of fall. It was like their own private paradise. Tall trees stood all around the clearing, as if, Ginny liked to think, they were guarding them, protecting them from any danger that might be lurking.

The moment she reached the edge of the trees though, she knew they hadn't done a good enough job.

A boy with shockingly blond hair stood there, his straight, proud back to her, but Ginny knew he was aware of her presence.

"Good morning," she told him cheerfully, remembering just in time the events of last night.

Draco glanced over his shoulder at her, but did not turn around. "Is it?"

There was no anger in his voice, no hatred. There didn't need to be, they were alone.

"Well," Ginny teased playfully, throwing herself into the role of the spirited young seductress whole-heartedly. "I had rather thought it was. Until now."

She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, looking every inch the beautiful temptress.

Draco could bare it no longer. He had planned to keep his hands off of her for at least a few days yet, just to draw out the thrill, but his promise to himself won out. Whatever the reason she was looking at him like that didn't matter. Hell, he didn't even care if it was him being played this time!

Wait a sec…oh my God. So that's what she'd been doing. That was why the sudden change of attitude. She'd figured it out, and she was trying to get back at him. Well, we'll see about that.

He spun around so suddenly Ginny had no time to react. Rough, but strangely gentle arms grabbed at her, pulling her into a tight, heated embrace. She gasped as Draco lowered his mouth to hers, and had time to wonder fleetingly what she had gotten herself into before she found herself drowning, floating in a sea of emotion so intense she thought she'd die from it.

And all the while, there was Draco, his arms wrapped securely around her waist, holding her fast.

Seconds passed, but they seemed like hours as Ginny lost herself in his embrace. She was kissing Draco Malfoy. She was kissing Draco Malfoy. The sing-song like chant played over and over in her fevered mind, until she could hear nothing else.

And then, quite suddenly, it was gone, and the warm, fuzzy feeling that had been building inside her was gone too.

She opened her eyes to find Draco staring at her, his breathing harsh, his eyes bright.

"Thought you could play me did you, you little wench!" he hissed at her, his anger blazing even more than the campfire of the previous night.

Ginny blinked, the heat in her body quickly cooling to allow room for her mind to take over. "Wh-what?"

"You heard me. Did you like that kiss, Ginny?" he asked heatedly, not even caring that he had unconsciously called her by her by her first name. "I think you did. I think you enjoyed it. Well, remember it well, because it will never, ever happen again." He spun on his heel and walked back towards the camp.

Ginny felt her face flame, but at the same time, anger was growing in her. How dare he! How dare he treat her like she was the one who'd been caught doing something dreadful, like she was the one who'd started it! He'd been playing with her first, she'd simply tried to return the favor. And then, to go and kiss her like that just to turn around and virtually slap her in the face…It was unbearable.

"Draco Malfoy," she called loudly, not caring if she woke everyone else or not. "You come over here and apologize RIGHT THIS INSTANT!"

Draco paused, glanced back at her. He looked slightly surprised, as if he couldn't believe he was hearing this.

"Or what?"

"Or I'll, I'll-"

By this time, the whole camp was awake and watching attentively. Conflicts between a Malfoy and a Weasley, especially this one, were never boring.

McGonagall acted like she wanted to say something, but she was too far away for Draco or Ginny to hear her properly, and even if they could have it wouldn't have mattered.

"Or I'll curse you for life!" Ginny finally decided.

There was an awed silence from the bystanders, a life-curse was no laughing matter. It was advanced magic, but no one doubted for a second that she could do it.

Except for maybe Draco, who simply raised an eyebrow in mocking disbelief. "Oh, will you, Weasley?"

"Yes I will," she returned fiercely, and reached for her wand.

But it wasn't there.

Surprised, Ginny glanced down at her empty pocket. With both hands she searched for it, even turning the pocket inside out.

"It's not there, Ms. Weasley," came a stern, unhappy voice.

Ginny and Draco both glanced up. Professor McGonagall was standing behind them, looking angrier than either of them could ever remember seeing her. And in her hand was Ginny's wand.

Draco's eyes widened, and Ginny gaped.

"Both of you, get down here, now."

They obeyed, exchanging uneasy glances. For the second time in two days, they were in major trouble. At this rate, they would be going home before the week was out. If not sooner.

They reached the place where McGonagall stood, and though they were at least as tall as she was, with Draco really being a bit taller, she seemed to tower over them ominously, like a dark storm cloud.

"I want an explanation, immediately."

Ginny blanched. What could they possibly tell her? No way she was telling the Professor anything about that stupid game they'd both decided to play on each other. That was way too embarrassing.

Draco saved them both. "We were just having another argument, Professor. I insulted her family again- do you realize how fun that is? She gets all defensive and-"

"Ahem," McGonagall cleared her throat loudly, unimpressed.

"Er…right. So anyway, I insulted her and she was demanding an apology."

Ginny looked at him, amazed. Sometimes she envied that ability of his to make up a lie right on the spot, and then make it actually sound true. Talk about talent.

Draco sent her a warning glance, and she realized she was still staring stupidly. If they wanted McGonagall to believe them, she would have to play along.

"Yes, that's exactly what happened," she chimed in. Sure, that was convincing.

But McGonagall seemed to except it.

"I see," the older witch said sternly, looking from Ginny to Draco and back again. "Mr. Malfoy, as punishment for your abominable behavior, you will have to carry your own belongings to the inn we're staying at, without the use of a levitation spell."

Now Draco really did gape. "But- Professor, I have three trunks!" he protested loudly.

McGonagall frowned at this. "Packed a little heavily, didn't you?" she asked dryly.

Draco said nothing.

"Very well. You can carry the bag with our lunch in it."

Draco couldn't have looked more horrified if someone had asked him to be friends with Harry Potter.

"I have to…carry it? The whole way?"

McGonagall nodded. "And as for you, Ms. Weasley, I think I'd better keep your wand for now. Threatening to cast a life-curse on someone is a serious matter."

Ginny sulked, but at least, she thought as they started off, she wasn't having to haul a pack full of enough lunch for nine people around.

They hiked for three straight hours, McGonagall in the lead, with Draco and Ginny following right behind, so that she could keep an eye on them. She didn't want any more trouble.

They stopped often, about once every half hour, allowing just enough time to catch their breath before they started off again.

Several times they came to rough spots, where the trees and bushes were pressed very close together and there was barely room to move between them, let alone watch where you stepped.

It was at one of these places that Draco, who was a little more careless than he should have been because of his burden, pitched forwards suddenly. But he'd barely begun to fall when hands grabbed at him, jerking him back to his feet.

Ginny was standing beside him, looking as if she was wondering whether she should have just let him fall.

Draco was glad she hadn't. It would have hurt. But still, there was something undignified about being caught by a girl.

He pushed in front of her without a backward glance or even a slight sign of acknowledgement.

Ginny glared after him, but shuffled on into place behind him, not wanting to risk McGonagall's anger. They'd already put the Professor through enough for one day.

Finally, about midday, they came to a halt. It was lunchtime, McGonagall announced.

They all sat down thankfully, and Draco let the pack swing to the ground with a thump. McGonagall cast him a severe look, but he didn't care. He was tired of carrying the stupid thing around.

And if his stomach hadn't growled and given him away, he would probably have announced that he wasn't hungry and not eat lunch, just out of spite. As it was, he wasn't that upset when he was passed his share of the sandwiches.

After lunch, they continued on for about another hour, before the forest suddenly opened in front of them, and there it was: the village.

Or what passed for a village in these parts, anyway. In truth, it looked to be little more than a few huts, strewn here and there across the grassy landscape, with one slightly larger building a little way off to their left.

That, they discovered, was the "inn".

Suddenly, the accommodations of the previous night didn't seem nearly so horrible.

"I'd rather sleep on the ground again!" someone called out.

Silently, Ginny and Draco both agreed with them.

A/N: The end of another chapter. And I hope your all happy, this one was much longer. So there. *grins* So what happens next? How will Draco and Ginny deal with one another now that the game is up? Find out more in Chapter 12, which should be out tomorrow, if I get the time. Thanks to my reviewers, I love you guys!

Kneh13: The seems to be pretty short-lived, doesn't it? But it's not quite over yet… And Draco got smart.

The Totally Sarcastic Sprite: *bows* Thank you, thank you. And can you believe she did that? Obviously having to deal with eight whiny teenagers by herself was putting the stress on her.

Marybecca: Yes, that chapter was shorter than the others. But this one's not!

FallenAngel664: You too huh? I don't know why it's like that. Thanks for your review!

Forbidden: Hmm, now I'm not sure who I feel more sorry for, you or Ginny! Lol. Oh, and plan an entire story out before you write it? What's that? (No, seriously, when I start these things, I have a basic plot in mind but that's about it. After that, I write what I'm suddenly inspired to. Believe me, I've tried planning stories out completely, but by then I'm tired of it before I've even started writing!)

Aidenfire: Betcha liked this chappie, didn't you? *smirks*

Hallee87: Yeah, real sweet. But now look what happened!

Dragonsprincess: I'm glad you think so! And thanks for reviewing, I always enjoy yours.

Bobcat: *grins broadly* Thank you.

LuLuDucky: Did that answer your question?

Allie: Yeah! You found the story and reviewed! Thank you! And yes, I'll send you an email the moment I put out a new chapter.

Stubbornarse: Yeah, I like Ginny's attitude too. *Giggles insanely for no reason* (I've been cooped up in a car all day, what can I say? It's one of those days)